Yes, you can negotiate on Airbnb, but the host has to agree

Airbnb does not have a built-in haggle feature like some marketplaces do. You cannot make a lower offer directly through the app or website. However, you can contact a host before booking and ask if they will lower the nightly rate, and many hosts will say yes — especially for longer stays, off-season dates, or if the listing has been vacant for a while.

The negotiation happens through Airbnb's messaging system, before you send a booking request. If a host agrees to a discount, they can adjust the listing price temporarily, create a custom offer through the app, or ask you to book at the regular rate and then refund the difference after your stay (though this second method is riskier for both of you).

Success depends on how you ask, what you are asking for, and whether the host has motivation to fill the dates. A polite message that explains your situation works better than a demand.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact the host through Airbnb messaging before you book and ask directly if they will lower the price for your dates.
  • Hosts are most likely to negotiate on stays longer than a week, during slow seasons, or if the calendar shows many open dates nearby.
  • If a host agrees, ask them to create a custom offer through the Airbnb app so the discount is official and protected.
  • Avoid asking for discounts on peak dates, last-minute bookings, or listings that are already booked solid around your dates.
  • Some hosts will agree to lower rates in exchange for a longer commitment or a five-star review, so mention if either applies to you.

When hosts are most likely to say yes

Hosts negotiate most often when they have empty dates coming up and would rather earn something than nothing. If you are booking a week or longer, the host loses less money by dropping the nightly rate — they still get paid for seven nights instead of zero. A two-week stay at a 15 percent discount still brings in more revenue than an empty calendar.

Off-season and shoulder-season dates are easier to negotiate than peak times. If you are traveling in January to a beach town, or September to a ski resort, the host knows demand is lower and may be willing to move on price. Listings that show many open dates in a row — especially if they have been open for weeks — signal that the host is struggling to fill them.

Hosts also negotiate when they like the look of you. A message that says "I am a quiet professional traveling for work and will take excellent care of your place" works better than "Can you go lower?" A good review history on your Airbnb profile, a clear photo, and a filled-out bio all make a host more likely to work with you.

How to message a host and ask for a discount

Open the listing, scroll to the host's profile section, and click "Contact Host" or the message icon. Write a short, honest message. Explain who you are, when you want to stay, and why you are interested in that specific listing. Then ask: "Would you be open to negotiating the nightly rate for these dates?"

If the host responds positively, they will usually suggest a number or ask what you had in mind. If you have a target price, say it clearly: "Would $X per night work for a seven-night stay?" Be realistic — asking for 50 percent off a $150 listing will get you ignored, but 10 to 20 percent off is often doable.

Once you agree on a price, ask the host to create a custom offer through Airbnb. This protects both of you because the discount is official, documented, and covered by Airbnb's cancellation and damage policies. If a host asks you to book at full price and promises to refund the difference later, decline — you have no recourse if they do not follow through.

Using Airbnb's custom offer feature

If a host agrees to a lower rate, they can send you a custom offer directly through the app. You will see a notification that says a host has sent you an offer, and you can view the new nightly rate, total price, and dates. You then have 24 hours to accept or decline the offer.

A custom offer is binding once you accept it — it becomes your official reservation at the negotiated price. This method is safer than any other because Airbnb tracks it, your payment is protected, and the host cannot change the terms after you book. Always wait for a custom offer rather than booking and hoping for a refund.

What not to do when negotiating

Do not message a host asking for a discount on dates that are already booked solid around your stay. If the calendar shows bookings before and after your dates with no gaps, the host knows they can fill those nights at full price and has no reason to negotiate with you.

Do not ask for discounts on peak season dates — holidays, summer weekends, major events in the city. Hosts know demand is high and will not lower rates when they can easily book at full price.

Do not make your first message a price demand. A message that opens with "Your place is too expensive, can you go lower?" will be ignored. Start by showing genuine interest in the listing and the host, then ask if they are open to negotiating.

Do not book first and then ask for a refund. Some hosts will do it, but you have no protection if they refuse, and Airbnb's policies do not cover discounts negotiated after booking.

Alternatives if the host says no

If a host declines to negotiate, you have a few options. Search for similar listings in the same neighborhood and message those hosts instead — you may find one with lower rates or more willingness to negotiate. Use Airbnb's price filter to narrow results to your budget, then look at the listings that fall within it.

Book a longer stay if you can. Many hosts offer weekly or monthly discounts automatically — you will see these listed on the listing page as "Weekly discount" or "Monthly discount." These are built-in price reductions that explore when you book for seven or more consecutive nights, and you do not have to negotiate for them.

Wait for the host to lower the price themselves. Some hosts adjust rates seasonally or when the calendar gets close to the dates and they still have no bookings. If you are flexible on timing, checking back in a few weeks might show a lower rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I negotiate on Airbnb through the app after I send a booking request?

No. Once you send a booking request, the host can only accept or decline it at the listed price. Negotiation must happen before you request to book. Message the host first, agree on a price, and then either wait for them to send a custom offer or send a booking request if they have told you to do so.

What if a host agrees to lower the price but then changes their mind?

If you have not yet accepted a custom offer, the host can withdraw it. If you have already accepted the custom offer and it is your official reservation, the host cannot change the price — the booking is locked in at the negotiated rate. This is why using the custom offer feature is important.

Do hosts on Airbnb expect to be negotiated with?

No, most hosts set their prices expecting to receive that amount. However, many are willing to negotiate if you ask politely, especially for longer stays or during slow periods. It never hurts to ask, but do not assume every host will say yes.

Is it rude to ask a host to lower their price?

Not if you ask respectfully. A polite message that acknowledges the listing and explains your situation is a normal part of doing business. Hosts are used to price inquiries and will not be offended by a courteous question. A demanding or insulting message is different — that will get you blocked.

Can I negotiate on Airbnb Experiences or other services, or just on room rentals?

Negotiation works best on room and home rentals where the host controls the price. Experiences, restaurant reservations, and other services on Airbnb typically have fixed pricing set by the provider, and hosts have less flexibility to adjust them.